Simplified Chinese - Examples

Lesson 40 of 156

A friendly teacher pointing to example sentences in Simplified Chinese, theme: giving examples in conversation.

Goal: Say it with examples to make your point

Free Simplified Chinese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Ready to make your explanations clearer? This bite-size lesson helps you give examples naturally in Chinese. Keep it conversational — examples are how your ideas become concrete.

Level B1: In this lesson you'll practice common ways to give examples in spoken and slightly formal Mandarin — phrases like 比如 (bǐrú), 例如 (lìrú), 和 举个例子 (wǒ gěi nǐ jǔ ge lìzi). We'll focus on when to use each phrase so your examples sound natural. This is CEFR-aligned practice of short phrases, short explanations, and quick speaking drills.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and produce common example phrases such as 比如 (bǐrú)、例如 (lìrú) and 举个例子 (wǒ gěi nǐ jǔ ge lìzi).
  • Use more formal vs. casual example frames correctly in conversation.
  • Practice saying each phrase out loud and choosing the right phrase in short dialogues (Level B1).
Two colleagues chatting in an office; Simplified Chinese text bubbles show phrases like 比如 and 举个例子.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

比如，___

Bǐrú, ___.

For example, ___.

Meaning: For example, ___.

When to use: Use to introduce an example casually in spoken Mandarin. You can also say “比如说”.

我喜欢很多水果，比如苹果和香蕉。

Wǒ xǐhuān hěn duō shuǐguǒ, bǐrú píngguǒ hé xiāngjiāo.

I like many fruits, for example apples and bananas.
她会很多乐器，比如吉他。

Tā huì hěn duō yuèqì, bǐrú jítā.

She can play many instruments, for example the guitar.

例如，___

Lìrú, ___.

For instance, ___.

Meaning: For instance, ___.

When to use: Slightly more formal than 比如; good for written explanations or careful speech.

例如，这个政策会影响小企业的贷款。

Lìrú, zhège zhèngcè huì yǐngxiǎng xiǎo qǐyè de dàikuǎn.

For instance, this policy will affect small businesses' loans.
例如，学生可以申请学费减免。

Lìrú, xuéshēng kěyǐ shēnqǐng xuéfèi jiǎnmiǎn.

For instance, students can apply for tuition reduction.

像___

Xiàng ___.

Like ___.

Meaning: Like ___.

When to use: Casual spoken phrase used for quick, informal examples.

Tip: Don’t add an extra 的 after 像 when directly listing examples (wrong: 像的...).

我喜欢简单的菜，像番茄炒蛋就很好吃。

Wǒ xǐhuān jiǎndān de cài, xiàng fānqié chǎo dàn jiù hěn hǎochī.

I like simple dishes, like tomato-and-egg stir-fry is tasty.
像周末去爬山、骑车这种活动我都喜欢。

Xiàng zhōumò qù páshān, qí chē zhè zhǒng huódòng wǒ dōu xǐhuān.

I like activities like hiking or cycling on weekends.

比如___之类的。

Bǐrú ___ zhīlèi de.

Things like ___.

Meaning: Things like ___.

When to use: Use after a general category to give a few example members of that category.

他有很多爱好，比如足球、摄影之类的。

Tā yǒu hěn duō àihào, bǐrú zúqiú, shèyǐng zhīlèi de.

He has many hobbies, things like soccer and photography.
办公室需要新的用品，比如打印纸之类的。

Bàngōngshì xūyào xīn de yòngpǐn, bǐrú dǎyìn zhǐ zhīlèi de.

The office needs new supplies, such as printer paper and the like.

比如___

Bǐrú ___.

Such as ___.

Meaning: Such as ___.

When to use: Introduce examples as members of a group; similar to 比如 but can be used in lists.

公司提供多种福利，比如年假和健康体检。

Gōngsī tígōng duō zhǒng fúlì, bǐrú niánjià hé jiànkāng tǐjiǎn.

The company offers various benefits, such as annual leave and health checkups.
水果里有维生素C较多的，比如橙子。

Shuǐguǒ lǐ yǒu wéishēngsù C jiào duō de, bǐrú chéngzi.

Among fruits, those with more vitamin C, such as oranges.

我给你举个例子。

Wǒ gěi nǐ jǔ ge lìzi.

Let me give you an example.

Meaning: Let me give you an example.

When to use: Signal that you are about to explain something with an example; natural in speech.

你不懂这项规则？我给你举个例子。

Nǐ bù dǒng zhè xiàng guīzé? Wǒ gěi nǐ jǔ ge lìzi.

You don't understand this rule? Let me give you an example.
要解释清楚，我给你举个例子就明白了。

Yào jiěshì qīngchǔ, wǒ gěi nǐ jǔ ge lìzi jiù míngbái le.

To explain clearly, I'll give you an example and you'll understand.

举个例子，___。

Jǔ ge lìzi, ___.

To give you an example, ___.

Meaning: To give you an example, ___.

When to use: Start an example right before adding specific details.

举个例子，公司可以先试行这个办法一个月。

Jǔ ge lìzi, gōngsī kěyǐ xiān shìxíng zhège bànfǎ yí ge yuè.

To give an example, the company can pilot this method for a month.
举个例子，如果下雨，我们可以改期活动。

Jǔ ge lìzi, rúguǒ xiàyǔ, wǒmen kěyǐ gǎiqī huódòng.

For example, if it rains, we can reschedule the event.

一个例子是___。

Yí ge lìzi shì ___.

One example is ___.

Meaning: One example is ___.

When to use: Use to present a specific example among several possible ones.

一个例子是她去年在上海实习。

Yí ge lìzi shì tā qùnián zài Shànghǎi shíxí.

One example is that she interned in Shanghai last year.
一个例子是这个应用可以节省时间。

Yí ge lìzi shì zhège yìngyòng kěyǐ jiéshěng shíjiān.

One example is that this app can save time.

拿___来说

Ná ___ lái shuō.

Take ___, for example.

Meaning: Take ___, for example.

When to use: Point to a specific case as an example; natural and conversational.

Tip: Don't forget 来说 after 拿 + topic (wrong: 拿...说).

拿节约时间来说，这个方法很有效。

Ná jiéyuē shíjiān lái shuō, zhège fāngfǎ hěn yǒuxiào.

Take saving time, for example; this method is effective.
拿北京来说，夏天常常又热又潮湿。

Ná Běijīng lái shuō, xiàtiān chángcháng yòu rè yòu cháoshī.

Take Beijing, for example: summers are often hot and humid.

一个很好的例子是___。

Yí ge hěn hǎo de lìzi shì ___.

A good example is ___.

Meaning: A good example is ___.

When to use: Introduce a representative or strong example to support your point.

一个很好的例子是社区自愿活动带来的改变。

Yí ge hěn hǎo de lìzi shì shèqū zìyuàn huódòng dàilái de gǎibiàn.

A good example is the changes brought by community volunteer activities.
一个很好的例子是这家小店的经营方式。

Yí ge hěn hǎo de lìzi shì zhè jiā xiǎo diàn de jīngyíng fāngshì.

A good example is the way this small shop operates.

举个例子，___。

Jǔ ge lìzi, ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate

To show what I mean, ___.

Meaning: To show what I mean, ___.

When to use: Natural spoken way to introduce an example to clarify your idea.

举个例子，我上次坐错地铁就迟到了。

Jǔ ge lìzi, wǒ shàng cì zuò cuò dìtiě jiù chídào le.

To show what I mean, I once took the wrong subway and was late.
举个例子，很多人不知道健康饮食的重要性。

Jǔ ge lìzi, hěn duō rén bù zhīdào jiànkāng yǐnshí de zhòngyào xìng.

For example, many people don't realize the importance of healthy eating.

我的意思是：___。

Wǒ de yìsi shì: ___.

Here's what I mean: ___.

Meaning: Here's what I mean: ___.

When to use: Use to clarify a previous point and add a concrete example or explanation.

我的意思是：团队合作可以提高效率。

Wǒ de yìsi shì: tuánduì hézuò kěyǐ tígāo xiàolǜ.

Here's what I mean: teamwork can improve efficiency.
我的意思是：我们应该先收集更多数据。

Wǒ de yìsi shì: wǒmen yīnggāi xiān shōují gèng duō shùjù.

What I mean is: we should collect more data first.

你想象一下：___。

Nǐ xiǎngxiàng yíxià: ___.

Imagine this: ___.

Meaning: Imagine this: ___.

When to use: Ask the listener to picture a short scenario before you give an example.

你想象一下：早上不用通勤可以做什么？

Nǐ xiǎngxiàng yíxià: zǎoshang bùyòng tōngqín kěyǐ zuò shénme?

Imagine this: what could you do if you didn't commute in the morning?
你想象一下：如果城市没有汽车，生活会怎样？

Nǐ xiǎngxiàng yíxià: rúguǒ chéngshì méiyǒu qìchē, shēnghuó huì zěnyàng?

Imagine this: how would life be if a city had no cars?

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna explains a project idea to David and uses examples to clarify.

Anna and David sitting at a café, using example phrases in a natural conversation with visible Simplified Chinese phrases.

What does Anna do to make her idea clearer?

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

我给你举个例子：我们可以把这个流程分成三步。

Wǒ gěi nǐ jǔ ge lìzi: wǒmen kěyǐ bǎ zhège liúchéng fēn chéng sān bù.

Let me give you an example: we can split this process into three steps.

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

好，举个例子，第一步是什么？

Hǎo, jǔ ge lìzi, dì yī bù shì shénme?

Okay, for example, what is the first step?

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

比如，先做市场调研，然后测试原型。

Bǐrú, xiān zuò shìchǎng tiáoyán, ránhòu cèshì yuánxíng.

For example, first do market research, then test prototypes.

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

拿用户反馈来说，我们可以改进界面。

Ná yònghù fǎnkuì lái shuō, wǒmen kěyǐ gǎijìn jièmiàn.

Take user feedback, for example; we can improve the interface.

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

我的意思是：先收集数据，再决定下一步。

Wǒ de yìsi shì: xiān shōují shùjù, zài juédìng xià yī bù.

What I mean is: collect data first, then decide the next step.

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

像做小范围测试这样的办法，听起来不错。

Xiàng zuò xiǎo fànwéi cèshì zhè yàng de bànfǎ, tīng qǐlái bùcuò.

Methods like running small-scale tests sound good.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase is best for a slightly formal written report?

Choose the phrase that signals you are about to explain with an example.

Which phrase fits a quick spoken example: 'Things like ___'?

Which sentence best asks the listener to imagine a scene before you give an example?

For example, user experience is very important.

解释新产品功能时，经理说：___ 用户体验很重要。

Take exams, for example; starting revision earlier is more effective.

老师提醒学生：___ 早点开始复习会更有效。

A good example is urban greening.

讨论环保项目时，张教授说：一个很好的例子是___。

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

比如，___

Bǐrú, ___.

For example, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

例如，___

Lìrú, ___.

For instance, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

像___

Xiàng ___.

Like ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

比如___之类的。

Bǐrú ___ zhīlèi de.

Things like ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

比如___

Bǐrú ___.

Such as ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

我给你举个例子。

Wǒ gěi nǐ jǔ ge lìzi.

Let me give you an example.

Say this phrase out loud:

举个例子，___。

Jǔ ge lìzi, ___.

To give you an example, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

一个例子是___。

Yí ge lìzi shì ___.

One example is ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

拿___来说

Ná ___ lái shuō.

Take ___, for example.

Say this phrase out loud:

一个很好的例子是___。

Yí ge hěn hǎo de lìzi shì ___.

A good example is ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

举个例子，___。

Jǔ ge lìzi, ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate

To show what I mean, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

我的意思是：___。

Wǒ de yìsi shì: ___.

Here's what I mean: ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

你想象一下：___。

Nǐ xiǎngxiàng yíxià: ___.

Imagine this: ___.